Coated tool and cutting tool

ABSTRACT

A coated tool may include a base member and a coating layer. The coating layer may include a Ti(C, N) layer, and an Al 2 O 3  layer covering the Ti(C, N) layer. The Ti(C, N) layer may include a void region including a plurality of voids along an interface between the Ti(C, N) layer and the Al 2 O 3  layer. An average value of widths of the voids may be less than an average value of distances between the voids adjacent to each other. The Ti(C, N) layer may include a first Ti(C, N) layer located closer to the base member than the void region. An average atomic ratio of carbon to the sum of carbon and nitrogen (C/(C+N)) in the first Ti(C, N) layer may be 0.50 to 0.65.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national stage entry according to 35 U.S.C. § 371 of PCT Application No. PCT/JP2019/034596 filed on Sep. 3, 2019, which claims priority to Japanese Application No. 2018-166096 filed on Sep. 5, 2018, which are entirely incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a coated tool for use in a cutting process.

BACKGROUND

As a coated tool for use in the cutting process, such as a turning process and a milling process, a coated tool is discussed in, for example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-182209). The coated tool discussed in Patent Document 1 may include a configuration in which a coating layer is located on a surface of a base member composed of cemented carbide or the like. The coating layer may include a layer (titanium compound layer) including a compound of titanium (Ti), and a layer (aluminum oxide layer) including aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃). In the coated tool discussed in Patent Document 1, a plurality of voids may be formed at an interface between the titanium compound layer and the aluminum oxide layer. An impact relaxation effect may be obtainable because of the plurality of voids.

In Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 6238904), the coated cutting tool may include a substrate and a surface coating, wherein the coating has a Ti(C, N, O) layer including at least one columnar MTCVD Ti(C, N) layer with an average grain width of 0.05-0.4 μm, and an atomic ratio of carbon to the sum of carbon and nitrogen (C/(C+N)) contained in the MTCVD Ti(C, N) layer may be in average 0.50-0.65.

SUMMARY

A coated tool of the present disclosure may include a base member including a first surface, and a coating layer located on the first surface. The coating layer may include a Ti(C, N) layer, and an Al₂O₃ layer covering the Ti(C, N) layer. The Ti(C, N) layer may include a void region including a plurality of voids along an interface between the Ti(C, N) layer and the Al₂O₃ layer in a cross section orthogonal to the first surface. An average value of widths of the voids in a direction along the interface may be smaller than an average value of distances between the voids adjacent to each other. The Ti(C, N) layer may include a first Ti(C, N) layer located closer to the base member than the void region. An average atomic ratio of carbon to the sum of carbon and nitrogen (C/(C+N)) in the first Ti(C, N) layer may be 0.50 to 0.65. A cutting tool of the present disclosure may include a holder including a bar shape which extends from a first end to a second end and including a pocket located at a side of the first end, and the above-mentioned coated tool which is located at the pocket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a coated tool of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line A-A in the coated tool illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view in the vicinity of a coating layer in the coated tool illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view in a region B1 illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view illustrating a non-limiting embodiment of the region B1 illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a cutting tool of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view in a region B2 illustrated in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A coated tool of the present disclosure is described in detail below with reference to the drawings. For the sake of description, each of the drawings referred to in the following illustrates, in a simplified form, only main members necessary for the explanation. Hence, the coated tool is capable of including any structural member not illustrated in the drawings referred to. Dimensions of the members in each of the drawings are not ones which faithfully represent dimensions of actual structural members and dimension ratios of these members.

<Coated Tool>

A coated tool 1 of the present disclosure includes a base member 3 and a coating layer 5 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The base member 3 includes a first surface 7 (an upper surface in FIG. 2), a second surface 9 adjacent to the first surface 7 (a side surface in FIG. 2), and a cutting edge 11 located at least on a part of a ridge line where the first surface 7 intersects with the second surface 9.

The base member 3 has a quadrangular plate shape in the example shown in FIG. 1, and the first surface 7 has a quadrangular shape. The number of the second surfaces 9 is therefore four. At least a part of the first surface 7 is a rake surface region, and at least a part of the second surface 9 is a flank surface region. The shape of the base member 3 is not limited to the quadrangular plate shape, and for example, the first surface 7 may have a triangular, pentagonal, hexagon or circular shape. Alternatively, the base member 3 may have a columnar shape besides the plate shape.

The coating layer 5 is located at least on the first surface 7 of the base member 3. The coating layer 5 may be located only on the first surface 7 or on a surface other than the first surface 7 in the base member 3. The coating layer 5 is also located on the second surface 9 in addition to the first surface 7 in the example shown in FIG. 2. The coating layer 5 is included for the purpose of improving characteristics of the coated tool 1 during a cutting process, such as wear resistance and chipping resistance.

The coating layer 5 includes a Ti(C, N) layer 13 and an Al₂O₃ layer 15 as illustrated in FIG. 3. The Ti(C, N) layer 13 is located on the first surface 7 and includes a titanium compound. The Al₂O₃ layer 15 is contactedly located on the Ti(C, N) layer 13 and includes aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃).

Examples of the titanium compound included in the Ti(C, N) layer 13 include titanium carbide, nitride, oxide, carbonitride, carbon oxide and oxycarbonitride. The Ti(C, N) layer 13 may be configured to include only one of the above compounds or, alternatively, may be configured to include a plurality of kinds of the above compounds.

The Ti(C, N) layer 13 may be made into a single layer or, alternatively, may include a configuration in which a plurality of layers are laminated one on another as long as it includes a titanium compound. For example, the Ti(C, N) layer 13 may include a configuration in which a TiN layer 17 and a TiCN layer 19 are laminated one on another. Bondability between the base member 3 and the Ti(C, N) layer 13 becomes higher if the Ti(C, N) layer 13 includes the TiN layer 17 as a layer contacting the base member 3.

The TiN layer 17 and the TiCN layer 19 include titanium nitride and titanium carbonitride as a main component, respectively, and may contain other components. The term “main component” denotes a component having the largest value in mass % among values of other components.

The coating layer 5 may be composed only of the Ti(C, N) layer 13 and the Al₂O₃ layer 15 or, alternatively, may include a layer other than these layers. For example, a different layer may be interposed between the base member 3 and the Ti(C, N) layer 13 or, alternatively, a different layer may be located on the Al₂O₃ layer 15.

The TiCN layer 19 may include a configuration in which a plurality of regions different in composition are laminated one on another. For example, the TiCN layer 19 may include a configuration in which a so-called MT (moderate temperature) first region 19 a, and a so-called HT (high temperature) second region 19 b are laminated one on another.

In cases where the Ti(C, N) layer 13 includes the first region 19 a and the second region 19 b, the Ti(C, N) layer 13 may further include an intermediate region 19 c between the first region 19 a and the second region 19 b. A boundary between the layers and a boundary between the regions can be determined, for example, by observing an electron microscope photograph (a scanning electron microscope (SEM: Scanning Electron Microscope) photograph or a transmission electron microscope (TEM: Transmission Electron Microscope) photograph). Identification can be performed by the ratio of elements constituting each layer and differences in a size or an orientation of a crystal.

The coating layer 5 includes voids 21 in an interior of the Ti(C, N) layer 13 as illustrated in FIG. 4. Specifically, the coating layer 5 includes the plurality of voids 21 located side by side in the Ti(C, N) layer in a direction along a boundary 16 between the Ti(C, N) layer 13 and the Al₂O₃ layer 15 in a cross section orthogonal to the first surface 7 of the base member 3. More specifically, the intermediate region 19 c includes the voids 21. In this configuration, the intermediate region 19 c is a void region 19 c in the present disclosure, and the first region 19 a is a first TiCN layer 19 a in the present disclosure.

An average value of widths w1 of the voids 21 in a direction parallel to the first surface 7 is smaller than a distance between the voids 21 adjacent to each other, namely, an average value of widths w2 at the first portion X in the cross section orthogonal to the first surface 7. The coated tool 1 having this configuration can obtain high impact resistance in the voids 21 while reducing degradation of strength of the first portion X.

An atomic ratio of carbon to the sum of carbon and nitrogen (C/(C+N)) in the first TiCN layer 19 a of the Ti(C, N) layer 13 in the coated tool 1 of the present disclosure is 0.50 to 0.65. Further, it may be 0.55 to 0.62. If the ratio of carbon included in the first TiCN layer 19 a is in this range, a bonding strength with the base member 3 or the TiN layer 17 in the Ti(C, N) layer 13 can be increased, and bondability between the base member 3 and the Ti(C, N) layer 13, or the Ti(C, N) layer 13 and the Al₂O₃ layer 15 is improved. Furthermore, by having the ratio of carbon to the sum of carbon and nitrogen (C/(C+N)) in this range, hardness of the first TiCN layer 19 a of the Ti(C, N) layer 13 can be increased, so that wear resistance can be improved, and the life of the tool can be extended.

The coated tool 1 of the present disclosure having this configuration can obtain the impact relaxation effect because of the voids 21 while reducing degradation of the bondability between the Ti(C, N) layer 13 and the Al₂O₃ layer 15. Consequently, the coated tool 1 of the present disclosure has good bondability while keeping the enhanced impact resistance.

The ratio of carbon to the sum of carbon and nitrogen (C/(C+N)) included in the first TiCN layer 19 a can be determined, for example, by performing wavelength dispersive X-ray microprobe analysis (WDS) and by measuring the composition of carbon and nitrogen.

Examples of the aluminum oxide included in the Al₂O₃ layer 15 include α-alumina (α-Al₂O₃), γ-alumina(γ-Al₂O₃) and κ-alumina (κ-Al₂O₃). If the Al₂O₃ layer 15 includes α-alumina of these, heat resistance of the coated tool 1 can be enhanced. The Al₂O₃ layer 15 may be configured to include only one of the above compounds or, alternatively, may include a plurality of kinds of the above compounds.

Identification of the aluminum oxide included in the Al₂O₃ layer 15 from among the above compounds can be evaluated, for example, by carrying out X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and by observing a distribution of peak values.

A content ratio of the titanium compound in the Ti(C, N) layer 13 and a content ratio of the aluminum oxide in the Al₂O₃ layer 15 are not limited to a specific value. A non-limiting embodiment thereof is a configuration in which the Ti(C, N) layer 13 includes the titanium compound as a main component, and the Al₂O₃ layer 15 includes the aluminum oxide as a main component. The term “main component” denotes a component having the largest value in mass % among values of other components.

The Ti(C, N) layer 13 may include an component other than the titanium compound, and the Al₂O₃ layer 15 may include an component other than the aluminum oxide. For example, bondability between the Ti(C, N) layer 13 and the Al₂O₃ layer 15 is improved if the Ti(C, N) layer 13 includes the aluminum oxide and the Al₂O₃ layer 15 includes the titanium compound.

In evaluating the average value of the widths w1 of the voids 21 in the direction parallel to the first surface 7, it is unnecessary to evaluate the widths w1 of all the voids 21 existing in the cross section orthogonal to the first surface 7, but the average value may be evaluated by an average value of the widths w1 of approximately 5 to 10 voids 21 located side by side in the cross section. For example, a 10 μm square region including the boundary 16 between the Ti(C, N) layer 13 and the Al₂O₃ layer 15 may be extracted in the cross section orthogonal to the first surface 7, and the widths w1 of the voids 21 in the region may be measured. An average value of the widths w2 of the first portion X may be evaluated by an average value of distances between approximately 5 to 10 voids 21 located side by side in the cross section. There may be other cases of determining an average value in the present disclosure. An average value of approximately 5 to 10 values may be obtained in each of the cases.

The voids 21 may exist in the Ti(C, N) layer 13. Besides the configuration in which the voids 21 are located in the Ti(C, N) layer 13 as illustrated in FIG. 4, it is possible to employ, for example, a configuration in which the voids 21 are located in each of the Ti(C, N) layer 13 and the Al₂O₃ layer 15 as illustrated in FIG. 5.

An imaginary line segment along the boundary 16 between the Ti(C, N) layer 13 and the Al₂O₃ layer 15 is indicated by a chain line in FIG. 5, and the voids 21 located in the Al₂O₃ layer 15 may be located along the boundary 16 between the Ti(C, N) layer 13 and the Al₂O₃ layer 15.

The phrase that “the voids 21 are located along the boundary 16 between the Ti(C, N) layer 13 and the Al₂O₃ layer 15” denotes that distances from the plurality of voids 21 to the boundary 16 between the Ti(C, N) layer 13 and the Al₂O₃ layer 15 fall within a range of ±20% of an average value thereof.

In cases where the Ti(C, N) layer 13 includes titanium carbonitride as a titanium compound and the Al₂O₃ layer 15 includes α-alumina as aluminum oxide from the viewpoint of heat resistance and durability of the coated tool 1, the durability of the coated tool 1 can be further enhanced if the plurality of voids 21 are located in the Ti(C, N) layer 13.

The reason for this is as follows. Hardness of the titanium carbonitride is higher but impact resistance thereof is lower than that of α-alumina. Therefore, if the voids 21 are located in the Ti(C, N) layer 13, impact resistance because of the voids 21 can be enhanced in the Ti(C, N) layer 13, and the durability of the coated tool 1 can be further enhanced.

Although no particular limitations are imposed on size of the voids 21, the size is settable to, for example, 20-200 nm. The impact relaxation effect because of the voids 21 can be enhanced if the size of the voids 21 is 20 nm or more. It is easy to maintain the strength of the Ti(C, N) layer 13 if the size of the voids 21 is 200 nm or less. The term “size of the voids 21” denotes a maximum value of the widths w1 of the voids 21 in the cross section orthogonal to the first surface 7.

No particular limitations are imposed on shape of the voids 21. The impact resistance can be further enhanced while reducing a ratio of the voids 21 if the width w1 in the direction parallel to the first surface 7 is larger than a height h1 in the direction orthogonal to the first surface 7, in other words, if the average value of the widths w1 of the voids 21 in the direction parallel to the first surface 7 is larger than an average value of the heights h1 of the voids 21 in the direction orthogonal to the first surface 7 in the cross section orthogonal to the first surface 7. The reason for this is as follows.

During a cutting process of a workpiece for the purpose of manufacturing a cut product, the coating layer 5 is susceptible to a cutting load in the direction orthogonal to the first surface 7. If the voids 21 have such a shape that the width w1 in the direction parallel to the first surface 7 is larger than the height h1 in the direction orthogonal to the first surface 7, the cutting load can be absorbed in a wide range of the voids 21 without making the voids 21 larger than necessary. This makes it possible to further enhance the impact resistance while reducing the ratio of the voids 21. The term “heights h1 of the voids 21 in the direction orthogonal to the first surface 7” denotes a maximum value of the heights h1 of the voids 21 in the direction orthogonal to the first surface 7.

Specifically, the cutting load tends to be absorbed in a wide range of the voids 21 if a ratio of the average value of the widths w1 of the voids 21 in the direction orthogonal to the first surface 7 to the average value of the heights h1 of the voids 21 in the direction parallel to the first surface 7 is 1.2 or more. Additionally, if the above ratio is 2 or less, it is easy to ensure a deformation amount of the voids 21 in the direction orthogonal to the first surface 7, thus leading to stable absorption of the cutting load in the voids 21.

If the average value of the heights h1 of the voids 21 in the direction orthogonal to the first surface 7 is smaller than Rz where Rz is a maximum height of the boundary between the first surface 7 and the second surface 9 in the cross section orthogonal to the first surface 7, it is easy to reduce degradation of the durability of the coating layer 5.

The coated tool 1 of the present disclosure has the enhanced impact resistance because of deformation of the first portion X located between the voids 21 adjacent to each other and because of deformation of the plurality of voids 21 in the Ti(C, N) layer 13. If an average value of widths of the voids 21 in the direction orthogonal to the first surface 7 is smaller than Rz, an imaginary line connecting the voids 21 adjacent to each other is indicated by a zigzag shape that is bent larger than the width of the void 21.

In cases where the imaginary line is indicated by the above shape, even if a crack occurs at one of the first portions X, the crack is less likely to propagate to the first portion X located adjacent to the first portion X with the crack. The durability of the coating layer 5 is therefore less likely to degrade.

The durability of the coating layer 5 is also less likely to degrade if an average value of distances d1 from the voids 21 to the boundary 16 between the Ti(C, N) layer 13 and the Al₂O₃ layer 15 is larger than an average value of widths w2 of the first portions X in the cross section orthogonal to the first surface 7. The term “distance d1 from the voids 21 to the boundary 16 between the Ti(C, N) layer 13 and the Al₂O₃ layer 15” denotes a minimum value of the distance to the boundary 16 in the voids 21.

The reason for this is as follows. Because, in comparison with the first portions X, the above case ensures a sufficient distance from the voids 21 to the boundary 16 between the Ti(C, N) layer 13 and the Al₂O₃ layer 15, even if a crack occurs at one of the first portions X, the crack is less likely to reach the boundary 16 between the Ti(C, N) layer 13 and the Al₂O₃ layer 15. The bondability between the Ti(C, N) layer 13 and the Al₂O₃ layer 15 is less likely to degrade because the crack is less likely to reach the boundary 16 between the Ti(C, N) layer 13 and the Al₂O₃ layer 15.

The voids 21 are located in the Ti(C, N) layer 13 and located away from the boundary between the Ti(C, N) layer 13 and the Al₂O₃ layer 15. The bondability between the Ti(C, N) layer 13 and the Al₂O₃ layer 15 is less likely to degrade while achieving enhanced impact resistance in the coating layer 5 if an average value of the distances d1 from the voids 21 to the boundary 16 between the Ti(C, N) layer 13 and the Al₂O₃ layer 15 is larger than an average value of the heights h1 of the voids 21 in the direction orthogonal to the first surface 7 in the cross section orthogonal to the first surface 7.

The reason for this is as follows. Because, in comparison with the size of the voids 12, the distance from the voids 21 to the boundary 16 between the Ti(C, N) layer 13 and the Al₂O₃ layer 15 can be sufficiently ensured, even if the voids 21 are deformed due to absorption of the cutting load, the boundary 16 between the Ti(C, N) layer 13 and the Al₂O₃ layer 15 is not deformed, or the deformation amount becomes sufficiently small. The bondability between the Ti(C, N) layer 13 and the Al₂O₃ layer 15 is less likely to degrade because the boundary 16 between the Ti(C, N) layer 13 and the Al₂O₃ layer 15 is less subjected to large deformation.

Examples of material of the base member 3 include inorganic materials, such as cemented carbide, cermet and ceramics. The material of the base member 3 is not limited to these materials.

Examples of composition of cemented carbide include WC(tungsten carbide)-Co, WC-TiC(titanium carbide)-Co and WC-TiC-TaC(tantalum carbide)-Co. Specifically, WC, TiC and TaC are hard particles, and Co is a binding phase.

The cermet is a sintered composite material obtainable by compositing metal into a ceramic component. Specific examples of the cermet include compounds composed mainly of TiCN, TiC or TiN (titanium nitride).

The base member 3 may include a through hole 23 that passes through the first surface 7 and a surface located on an opposite side of the first surface 7. The through hole 23 is usable for inserting a fixing member that is intended to fix the coated tool 1 to a holder.

Examples of the fixing member include a screw and a clamping member.

The size of the base member 3 is not particularly limited. For example, a length of one side of the first surface 7 is settable to approximately 3-20 mm. A height from the first surface 7 to the surface located on the opposite side of the first surface 7 is settable to approximately 5-20 mm.

<Manufacturing Method>

A non-limiting embodiment of a method for manufacturing the coated tool is described below.

Firstly, a mixed powder is manufactured by suitably adding metal powder, carbon powder or the like to inorganic powder selected from carbide, nitride, carbonitride and oxide or the like, which are capable of forming a hard alloy constituting a base member 3 by sintering, and then by mixing them together. Subsequently, a molded body is manufactured by molding the mixed powder into a predetermined tool shape with the use of a known molding method. Examples of the molding method include press molding, casting molding, extrusion molding and cold isostatic pressing. The base member 3 is manufactured by sintering the molded body in vacuum or a non-oxidizing atmosphere. A surface of the base member 3 may be then subjected to polishing process and honing process as needed.

Subsequently, a coating layer 5 is deposited on the surface of the base member 3 by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method.

The first step is to deposit a TiN layer 17 (underlayer) in the Ti(C, N) layer 13. A first mixed gas used as a reaction gas is manufactured by mixing 0.5-10 vol % of titanium tetrachloride gas and 10-60 vol % of nitrogen gas into hydrogen (H₂) gas. The layer 17 including titanium nitride is deposited in a temperature range of 830-870° C. by introducing the first mixed gas at a gas partial pressure of 10-20 kPa into a chamber.

The next step is to deposit a first region 19 a in the Ti(C, N) layer 13. The first region 19 a is a first TiCN layer. A second mixed gas is manufactured by blending 1-5 vol % of titanium tetrachloride gas, 0-4 vol % of nitrogen gas and 0.1-0.5 vol % of acetonitrile gas into hydrogen gas. The MT-first region 19 a is deposited in a temperature range of 800-870° C. by introducing the second mixed gas at a gas partial pressure of 5-12 kPa into the chamber.

The next step is to deposit an intermediate layer 19 c. A third mixed gas is manufactured by blending 3-30 vol % of titanium tetrachloride gas, 3-15 vol % of methane gas, 5-10 vol % of nitrogen gas and 0.5-5 vol % of carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas into hydrogen gas. The intermediate region 19 c having a thickness of approximately 50-300 nm is deposited in a temperature range of 980-1050° C. by introducing the third mixed gas at a gas partial pressure of 6-12 kPa into the chamber. Voids 21 are formable in the intermediate region 19 c because the third mixed gas includes carbon dioxide gas. With the above conditions, a coated tool 1 in which an average value of widths w1 of the voids 21 in a direction parallel to the first surface 7 is smaller than an average value of distances w2 between the voids 21 adjacent to each other in a cross section orthogonal to the first surface 7 can be manufactured.

Additionally, since the thickness of the intermediate region 19 c is as small as approximately 50-300 nm, it becomes possible to align the voids 21 formed in the intermediate region 19 c in a direction along the boundary 16 between the Ti(C, N) layer 13 and the A1 ₂O₃ layer 15.

The next step is to deposit a second region 19 b in the Ti(C, N) layer 13. A fourth mixed gas is manufactured by blending 1-4 vol % of titanium tetrachloride gas, 5-20 vol % of nitrogen gas, 0.1-10 vol % of methane gas and 0.5-10 vol % of carbon dioxide gas into hydrogen gas. The HT-second region 19 b having a thickness of approximately 0.3-3 μm is deposited in a temperature range of 950-1050° C. by introducing the fourth mixed gas at a gas partial pressure of 5-45 kPa into the chamber.

The next step is to deposit an Al₂O₃ layer 15. A deposition temperature is set to 950-1100° C., and a gas pressure is set to 5-20 kPa. A reaction gas composition is as follows. A fifth mixed gas is manufactured by blending 5-15 vol % of aluminum trichloride (AlCl₃) gas, 0.5-2.5 vol % of hydrogen chloride (HCl) gas, 0.5-5.0 vol % of carbon dioxide gas and 0-1 vol % of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) gas into hydrogen gas. The Al₂O₃ layer 15 is deposited by introducing the fifth mixed gas into the chamber.

Thereafter, as needed, a polishing process is carried out on a part of the surface of the deposited coating layer 5 at which the cutting edge 11 is located.

If the polishing process is carried out, a workpiece is less likely to be welded onto the cutting edge 11, thus leading to the coated tool 1 having more excellent fracture resistance.

The above manufacturing method is a non-limiting embodiment of the method for manufacturing the coated tool 1. Hence, the coated tools 1 are not limited to ones which are manufactured by the above manufacturing method. For example, a TiN layer or the like may be deposited separately on the Al₂O₃ layer 15.

In order to manufacture the coated tool 1 in which the average value of the widths w1 of the voids 21 in the direction parallel to the first surface 7 is larger than an average value of the heights h1 of the voids 21 in the direction orthogonal to the first surface 7 in the cross section orthogonal to the first surface 7, time adjustment may be carried out during the deposition of the intermediate region 19 c so that the intermediate region 19 c is deposited in a thickness of approximately 50-150 nm.

In order to manufacture the coated tool 1 in which an average value of the distances d1 from the voids 21 to the boundary 16 is larger than an average value of the heights h1 of the voids 21 in the direction orthogonal to the first surface 7 in the cross section orthogonal to the first surface 7, time adjustment may be carried out during the deposition of the intermediate region 19 c so as to be deposited in a thickness of approximately 50-150 nm, and thereafter the second region 19 b in the Ti(C, N) layer 13 may be deposited in a thickness of approximately 0.5-3 μm.

In order to manufacture the coated tool 1 in which an average value of the distances d1 from the voids 21 to the boundary 16 is larger than an average value of the distances w2 of the voids 21 adjacent to each other in the cross section orthogonal to the first surface, the second region 19 b in the Ti(C, N) layer 13 may be deposited so as to be thicker than the average value of the distances w2 of the voids 21 adjacent to each other.

<Cutting Tool>

A cutting tool 101 of a non-limiting embodiment is described below with reference to the drawings.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the cutting tool 101 of a non-limiting embodiment includes a holder 105 having a bar-shaped body that extends from a first end (an upper side in FIG. 6) to a second end (a lower side in FIG. 6) with a pocket 103 located at a side of the first end, and the coated tool 1 located at the pocket 103. In the cutting tool 101 of a non-limiting embodiment, the coated tool 1 is attached so that a part of the ridge line which is usable as a cutting edge is protruded from a front end of the holder 105.

The pocket 103 is a part that permits attachment of the coated tool 1. The pocket 103 includes a seating surface parallel to a lower surface of the holder 105, and a constraining side surface inclined relative to the seating surface. The pocket 103 opens into a side of the first end of the holder 105.

The coated tool 1 is located at the pocket 103. A lower surface of the coated tool 1 may be in a direct contact with the pocket 103. Alternatively, a sheet may be held between the coated tool 1 and the pocket 103.

The coated tool 1 is attached so that the part of the ridge line which is usable as the cutting edge is protruded outward from the holder 105. The coated tool 1 is attached to the holder 105 by a screw 107 in a non-limiting embodiment. Specifically, the coated tool 1 is attached to the holder 105 in such a manner that screw parts are engaged with each other by inserting the screw 107 into the through hole 23 of the coated tool 1, and by inserting a front end of the screw 107 into a screw hole (not illustrated) formed in the pocket 103.

For example, steel and cast iron are usable as the holder 105. Of these materials, high toughness steel may be used.

The non-limiting embodiments have illustrated and described the cutting tools for use in the so-called turning process. Examples of the turning process include inner diameter processing, outer diameter processing and grooving process. The cutting tools are not limited to ones which are used for the turning process. For example, the coated tools 1 of the above non-limiting embodiments are applicable to the cutting tools for use in the milling process.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS

1 coated tool

3 base member

5 coating layer

7 first surface

9 second surface

11 cutting edge

13 Ti(C, N) layer

15 Al₂O₃ layer

16 boundary (boundary between Ti(C, N) layer and Al₂O₃ layer)

17 TiN layer

19 TiCN layer

19 a first region, first Ti(C, N) layer

19 b second region

19 c intermediate region, void region

21 void

23 through hole

101 cutting tool

103 pocket

105 holder

107 fixing screw 

1. A coated tool, comprising: a base member comprising a first surface; and a coating layer located on the first surface, wherein the coating layer comprises a Ti(C, N) layer, and an Al₂O₃ layer covering the Ti(C, N) layer; the Ti(C, N) layer comprises a void region comprising a plurality of voids along a boundary between the Ti(C, N) layer and the Al₂O₃ layer in a cross section orthogonal to the first surface; an average value of widths of respective voids of the plurality of voids in a direction along the boundary is less than an average value of distances between the respective voids adjacent to each other; the Ti(C, N) layer further comprises a first Ti(C, N) layer located closer to the base member than the void region; and an average atomic ratio of carbon to the sum of carbon and nitrogen (C/(C+N)) in the first Ti(C, N) layer is 0.50 to 0.65.
 2. The coated tool according to claim 1, wherein an average value of widths of the respective voids in a direction parallel to the first surface is less than an average value of distances between the respective voids adjacent to each other in the direction parallel to the first surface in the cross section orthogonal to the first surface.
 3. The coated tool according to claim 1, wherein the Ti(C, N) layer further comprises titanium carbonitride, and the Al₂O₃ layer comprises α-alumina.
 4. The coated tool according to claim 1, wherein an average value of widths of the respective voids in a direction parallel to the first surface is greater than an average value of heights of the respective voids in a direction orthogonal to the first surface in the cross section orthogonal to the first surface.
 5. The coated tool according to claim 1, wherein an average value of distances from the respective voids to the boundary is greater than an average value of heights of the respective voids in a direction orthogonal to the first surface in the cross section orthogonal to the first surface.
 6. The coated tool according to claim 1, wherein an average value of distances from the respective voids to the boundary is greater than an average value of distances between the respective voids adjacent to each other in a direction parallel to the first surface in the cross section orthogonal to the first surface.
 7. The coated tool according claim 1, wherein the average atomic ratio of carbon to the sum of carbon and nitrogen (C/(C+N)) in the first Ti(C, N) layer is 0.55 to 0.62.
 8. A cutting tool, comprising: a holder comprising a bar shape which extends from a first end to a second end and comprises a pocket located at a side of the first end; and the coated tool according to claim 1, which is located at the pocket. 